Protesters and police prepare for Ferguson grand jury ruling

World Today

After months of hearing testimony and examining evidence, grand jurors in the U.S. state of Missouri are on the verge of announcing whether a police officer will be charged in the shooting death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. Protesters say they will hit the streets of Ferguson, Mo., if the officer isn’t indicted. CCTV America’s Hendrik Sybrandy reported this story from Denver.

Three months after a wave of protests took place in Ferguson after officer Darren Wilson shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown, residents said they are ready to demonstrate again if the grand jury ruling doesn’t go their way.

“This place took a little break, but things are not over. We want him arrested. We’re going to keep marching ’til he’s arrested. We want him in jail, locked up,” said Ferguson resident Patricia Lee Bell.

If no indictment is issued, it’s because the prosecutor didn’t push hard for one and seemingly thought there shouldn’t be one, added Dan Recht, a legal analyst.

Protesters have been rehearsing for mass demonstrations, while over 1,000 specially-trained law enforcement officers with new riot gear are preparing in the event the situation gets out of hand.

“I think if the grand jury does not indict, I think there’s the potential for violence,” said Former Westminster, Colo., Police Chief Dan Montgomery.

Montgomery said while Ferguson Police were caught flat-footed by the unrest in August, Missouri police agencies working together should be able to keep protests in check, if they maintain emotional control.